ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 75, 21 December 1929, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. There are thrills in plenty In the Fox picture, “The Girl from Havana,” which was screened at the De Luxe Theatre last evening. tn brief, it is the story of a sweet girl detective who tracks down a notorious gang of jewellery thieves mid murderers. Two of the gang dressed as the very best of people, cuter a fashionable jewellery establishment, and are being shown some extremely valuable dia J moud bracelets, when there is a cry of “mad dog” and an Alsatian teiira about the premises, amidst the shrieks of the customers. One of the assistants, who has been displaying the baubles, tackles the animal, and dually heads the apparently demented beast for the open door. A few moments later it is discovered that four bracelets, worth a king’s ransom, have disappeared. The police are called, and everyone Is searched without result. Subsequently it is divulged that the “assistant” has planted the bracelets on the dog, and that he is working in with the fashionably customers. Suspicions are aroused, and the gang Is traced to a steamer which has. left ’Frisco for Havana. • Havana is advised, and the chief of. police details the girl detective to board the boat at Balboa,, in order to “get- the goods”, on the gang. ' Incidentally there is a capital view of Balboa, the locks of the Panama Canal, with the electric mules at work and the great gates opening and closing as the steamer-advances. The detective makes good with the gang by pretending to be a crook.. By working, the wireless news (In league with the captain), she scares the gang by having it posted that their fence at Havana has been arrested, and that developments are pending.' In their extremity the gang turn to the girl for help to get them and their loot safely ashore. Having all the evidence she wirelesses Havana to grab the crooks as they leave the mail-boat for the shore in a launch. It is whilst on the launch that the leader of the gang “smells a rat,” and facing the girl and the police officer from the shore (who is pretending to be a “fence”) with a gun demands proof of her crookedness, and failing to. get it there is a melee on the boat, which is succeeded by a running light ashore, until finally the law wins. Romance enters Into the picture by the girl detective falling in love with a young fellow who has Only joined the gang in order to “get” the man who murdered his father. The girl detective Is brightly played by Lola Lane, and the lover Is most attractively personated by Paul Page (who will be heard of again). The scenery of tho Canal and around about Havana adds great interest to the picture. Other features include “Brahms,” a clever study of the master "musician (accompanied by Ills melodies); the comedy, “Stewed, Fried, and Boiled,” a Fox News, Pathe Review, and a new Australian Movietone News (which specialises In wine-tasting). Attractive music is furnished by a capable orchestra, which played the overture to “The Merry Wives” (Nlcholai), two movements of the “Coppellg” ballet suite, and “Maisie,” a delightful fox-trot song (composed by Miss Edith Harrhy, who is well-known in Wellington, and published by the Frederick Harris Co., of London, New York, and Chicago). The orchestra, which is conducted by Mr. L. D. Austin, is a refining feature Of tho new programme presented at the De Luxe. GRAND AND EMPIRE, PETONE. John Gilbert’s latest picture, “Desert Niglits,” Is now being shown at the Grand and Empire Theatres, Petone. Portraying the role of manager of a South African diamond mine, who is taken prisoner along with a fortune of gems, Gilbert depicts One of the most dramatic characterisations of his -career. The story is. one of a terrible revenge, laid in an African desert, in which Gilbert Is a dominating figure, first as a prisoner and then as a saviour of the girl and her bogus father, who ate responsible for his and their plight. Ernest Torrence plays the role of Steve, the clever crook, who poses under the clonk of English nobility. and Mary Nolan gives another outstanding performance l its the daughter of the renegade.

. REGENT THEATRE. Tho second week of the very attractive programme at the Regent Theatre promises to be one of the outstanding features of the holiday season in Wellington, and thousands will doubtless avail themselves of the opportunity to see the hilarious musical comedy success, “The Cocoanuts," in which the four Marx Bios., Incomparable corned; ians; all of' them, are appearing, and are causing, the .publie to go into ecstasies. It is an all-talking and dancing spectacle in which Marx Bros, live right up to their reputation as a Sparkling quartet, sparking on ail cylinders. “When My Dreams Come True” is one of the song hits which cannot fail to catch the public taste, especially as sung by Mary Eaton, Vne of the most famous of the Broadway stars. Florida is the locale of the comedy, its object being the ridicule of the real estate boom amid tKe semi-tropical environment of Palm Beach and Coeoanut Grove. A debutante, accompanied by her aunt, Of great social ambitions, is “wintering” in one of the exclusive hotels, and tho girl falls madly in love with the poor hotel clerk, who, in order to achieve his hopes, is enticed in “get-rich-quick” schemes. The consequences are dire lit first, but as he achieves his great ambition In, the end what matters? It Is a plot on / the light side, but it serves as the foundation for a heap of comedy and affords the opportunity for introducing a chorus of charming girls, richly dressed, amid scenes of splendour. Harpp, one of the Marx brothers, besides excellent clowning, is a master of the harp, and a brother is an accomplished pianist. Chico and Croueho are also a versatile pair, and Zeppo, the baby of the quartet, is also a diverting comedian. Mary Eaton, the Ziegfeld star, and Oscar Shaw supply the romantic atmosphere, and. their musical efforts are delightful, for the song numbers are a feature of the picture. The ballets are really] beautiful, for the CO odd dancers are some of the finest exponents of the art in the United States. The supports are a good lead to a first-class feature, and include a News Gazette, comedy, and an excerpt from "Rlgoletto.” The box plan is at the Bristol, or telephone the theatre, 44 —144. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. On Christmas night the all-dialogue picture, “Three Live Ghosts,” will conclude a highly successful season at the Grand Opera House. The talking screen in picturing this stage triumph permits a greater field of expression to the story, which, as a play, was a sensation in England and in America. This is largely due to graphic qualities of the plot. Three soldiers escape from their German prisons, and arrive in London, when they find themselves listed as “dead.” “Spoofy,” one of the trio, is a shelLshocked soldier, evidently a gentleman, who has forgotten his identity. The second is Jimmy Gubbins; a Cockney boy, mourned by Ills gin-loving stepmother and Peggy Woofers, his sweetheart, both of whom have been conducting seances to communicate. with him in the spirit world. The last member of the group is William Foster, an American, who seeks to begin life anew, as he had enlisted in the army to avoid arrest and disgrace for stealing bonds from his father’s office. “Three 'Live Ghosts” was directed by Thornton Freeland and Max Mason, noted playwright, who has many notable stage successes to his credit, prepared the screen treatment and dialogue. Prominent among the allstar east are Beryl Mercer and Charles Mc-Naughton,-who portray the roles they created on the New York stage; Claud Allister, Robert Montgomery, Joan Bennett, Hilda Vaughan, Shayle Gardner, Harry Stubbs, Jack Cooper, Jocelyn Lee, Nancy Price, and Tenen Holtz. To-night "Thunder,” starring Lon Chaney, will be screened, in addition to “Three Live Ghosts.” The famous star, behind the throttle of a plunging iron monster, plays one of his greatest roles in “Thunder,” Phyllis Haver plays the heroine, and James Murray the juvenile lead. George Dunyer, Francis Morris, Wally Albright, jun., and others of note are in the east. Chaney, it Is stated, drove an engine more than six hundred miles during the filming of "Thunder,” and the Mississippi floods form a vivid and spectaeiAar background for the rapid-fire play. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The chief attraction to be shown to-night at Our Theatre Is “Give and Take.” starring Goorgo Sidney and Jean Hcrsholt. The story concerns an ambitions college graduate, who works to put his father’s business on a profit-sharing basis. The second' feature. “The Shield of Honour.” starring Neil Hamilton, is a police melodrama.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. “Hold your Man," the 100 per cent, alltalking Universal production, which headed the new programme introduced at the Majestic Theatre yesterday, is a delightful pieturisation of the clever story by Maxine Alton. This hilarious farce-comedy deals trenchantly with the average Anierican woman’s craze for romance. Jack and Mary Hopkins, a newly-married pair, quarrel over Mary’s wild desire to go to Paris to study art. Jack takes his father-in-law’s advice that the way to get aloug with wives is to say "yes" to them, and then the women won’t be nearly so keen to do what they say they want to do. Jack ,at once takes an active interest in Rhea, a boyhood’s sweetheart, aud tells Mary that she can pack up aud get off to Paris. This takes the wind out of Mary’s sails, but her pride is affected and off she goes to the French capital. American women simply adore foreigners, whom they consider are much more romantic than the men of tlijjlr own country, who are too busy making money to have any real technique at love-making. In Paris Mary paints the. picture of Beno, who, while masquerading as a count, is in reality a petty thief who preys on women by pretending to be a member of the nobility. Mary gets quite a shock when a gendarme arrives and collects her romantic hero whom she is painting as an apache. Meanwhile, Jack cables to Mary stating that he and Rhea are coming to Paris, and will be married as soon as a divorce can be fixed up. Mary realises that she desires above all things to regain the esteem and affection of her husband. She invites Jack and Rhea to dinner, aud plays her cards so skilfully that. Rhea is thoroughly discredited before the evening is over, and Jack falls in love with his wife again. That blonde beauty, Laura La Plante, once again proves what an accomplished comedienne she is in the role of the young wife. The popular star rises to great heights in this brilliant comedy. Scott Kolk, one of the most promising of the younger screen actors, who has already made a name for himself in musical comedy, makes an ideal husband. Eugene Borden and Mildred Van Dorn also do some clever acting in the hilarious comedy. The supporting subjects were all cordially received. The first Universal Newspaper News Reel to be screened in the Dominion was full of interesting topical happenings. Close up views were afforded of Miss Ishmel MacDonald, daughter of the Prime Minister of England, General Dawes, and President Hindenberg, and other European notabilities at Streseman’s funeral in Berlin. A magnificent feature was that dealing with the manoeuvres of the United States Navy, in'which huge battlecruisers worked under smokescreens, while aeroplanes rose from and alighted upon their decks like birds. A further episode of “The Collegians,” entitled “The Rivals,” told a pretty romance, and incidentally showed an exciting basketball match between rival colleges. A dainty talking film was that in which Gus Edwards presented his popular songs of the past, including “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” “Sunbonnet Sue,” "When I Was a Millionaire,” and other old favourites of a generation back. That wonder-fully-clever step-dancer, Benny Rubin, amazed everybody with his marvellous heeltapping and clever fooling.. This highlydiverting programme will be screened daily, at 2.15 and 8 o’clock. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. Children and adults attending the matinee performance at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, this afternoon will have a good laugh at Buster Keaton in “Spite Marriage.” Keaton plays the role of a tailor, falls in love with an actress, spoils a theatrical performance, is “shanghaied” on a rum runner, commandeers a yacht, Is nearly wrecked in a storm but saves his girl wife, and lands in port safely. Chapter 7of “The Diamond Master” and usual supports will also be screened. At the evening performance, in addition to “Spite Marriage," "West of Zanzibar,” starring Lon Chaney, will be screened. This is a story of love, mystery, and terror in the heart of an African jungle. Incidental music will be provided by the Seaside Trio. ORGAN RECITAL. The city organist (Mr. Bernard F. Page) will give his weekly organ recital at tho Town Hall to-morrow (Sunday) evening, and the programme has been arranged as follows:—Melody by GluckPage; Sonata No. 0 by Mendelssohn; Contemplation (Op. 74) by Rholnberger; Prelude, Fugue and Variation (Op. 18) by Cesar Franck: (a) Rccit du POcheur (The Fisherman's Song), (b) Pantomime by Manuel de Falla; Air and Variations (upon a Theme of Handel’s) by KargElert.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The second week of "Noah’s Ark,” the spectacular successor to “The Ten Commandments,” commenced at the Paramount Theatre last night before a good audience.' A picture which took three years in the making, and which lias a cast of over 5000 players, it provides absorbing entertainment, Although with a modern setting, it deals with the well-known story of Noah’s Ark, and recalls the splendour of the ancient cities of Biblical times. The events leading up to the Flood are portrayed in a fashion which has no regard for expense. The manner in which the Lord confounds the false god Jaghuth and sends down rain front . the heavens until palaces aud temples and columns are reduced lo crashing ruins, while the Ark, with its load of animals and birds and the faithful Noah and his kin flout unharmed on the raging waters, are faithfully and magnificently portrayed. The whole effect is a marvel of photography, and there are few who will not be impressed with the production. “Noah’s Ark” draws a parallel between the Flood and the Great War, and seeks to establish a similarity of motive in the punishment of wicked humanity in each case. George O’Brieu and Dolores Costello are the chief actors, appearing as appealing lovers in botli tho modern part of the picture, which deals witli incidents of the Great War, and the historical section. Good talkie supports are showing, Including a fine selection from the opera “Rlgoletto.”

MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON. An important event for all theatre-lovers will be Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller’s latest move to demonstrate their policy of giving the public the greatesl attractions at the minimum admission charge. Commencing at a matinee on Boxing Day (December 20) the Freddie Forbes Musical Comedy Company will enter into season at His Majesty’s Theatre, producing the successes of the London and American stages within recent years. The opening show will be “Lido Lady,” a delightfully fragrant tale of romance on the Lido, famous playground of the elite of the fashionable world. Sparkling comedy and tuneful musical numbers make this production outstanding, while woven into the action of the play are several magnificent features, including "The Pageant of the Queen of Sheba,” a carnival on the Lido, “The Atlantic Blues” ballet, and a concert on board a Home-going liner. The company Is headed by one of England’s most popular comedians, Freddie Forbes, who has starred in practically every English-speaking country in the world, and who is one of the very few Londoners to make' good on the stage in Paris. Dainty Catherine Stewart plays the leading role In "Lido Lady,” that of Peggy Bassett, a publicity-mad motion picture actress. Betty Lambert, 1 who was here with the Elsie Prince-Jimmy Godden Company, presents a very finished interpretation of the charming English girl, Fay Blake. A special importation from London, Miss Aster Faire became exceedingly popular during this company's Christchurch season, and it is anticipated, she will be equally so in Wellington. Other members of this exceptional company include the Arnley Brothers, clever eccentric dancing duo, the Big Four, well-known gramophone artists, whose specialty number never fails to stop the show, Jack Phillips, producer, and a delightful ballet of ten. Perhaps the biggest feature of this forthcoming season is the scale of charges announced. The top price for admission will be three shillings. KING GEORGE THEATRE LOWER HUTT. An adaptation of Sir Hall Caine’s novel, “The Bondman,” is one of the pictures showing at King George Theatre this evening, starring Norman Kerry. The supporting picture is reputed to be one of the flnest British pictures ever screened, entitled “The Ware Case.” On Christmas Night, “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come” will be screened, while on Boxing Day there will be a two-feature programme, showing “Californian Mail” and “Ten Modern Commandments.”

CAPITOL, MIRAMAR. Much has been written about the dangers which threaten those who man tho submarines of the world’s navies, but it has remained for the Columbia picture, “Submarine,” to bring home to those on shore the. full extent of the perilous existence led by the crews of the underwater craft. “Submarine” is to be shown at the Capitol Theatre to-night. It is a mighty melodrama of the sea, with the story of the eternal triangle most skilfully and dramatically Interwoven. Also on the programme are three talkie shorts.

KING’S THEATRE. -■ Starring Rin-Tin-Tin in his first dialogue production, "The Million Dollar .Collar,” a part-dialogue Warner Brothers production, is the feature which commenced screening at the King’s Theatre last night. The famous dog star is first seen as the companion of an apparently blind beggar. He goes with him into a jewellery store where the man steals a valuable necklace, which lie conceals in the dog's collar. In a hasty effort to escape the "beggar” enters a car driven by accomplices. The car, with the dog tied to it. is wrecked, toppling over a cliff. A young down-and-outcr rescues him, collar and all, and trudges on. The plot thickens when the two reach a mountain hotel where the girl who is the centre of the story lives, in the care of her brother, who is hand-irt-glovc with the thieves. Both the youth and Rinty become her admirers and protectors. Other confederates are also looking for the loot, and It is discovered by accident by the lad. The crooks, noting that the collar Is missing from Rinty’s neck, give his rescuer the third degree. The boy now senses that the gems must be kept in the heavy collar he has removed from the dog s neck. The men search him, find the necklace, and are about to do away with him when the girl unbolts the door and Rinty, the avenger, breaks into the room., Supporting the famous dog are Matty Kemp, Evelyn Pierce, Tom Dugan aud Philo McCullough. The supporting features include “Light Cavalry,” by the Vitaphone Symphony Orchestra, piano, duets by Ohman and Arden, vocal numbers by The Four Aristocrats” and an amusing sketch.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. More thrills and adventure than Hi “Beau Geste” are in “The Four- heathers, which is the main feature at the Queen s Theatre tills week. It will be screened daily at 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. There will be two presentations on Christmas Day. Richard Arlen has the role of a young British lieutenant who went to the wilds of Africa in an effort to retrieve his lost honour. Part of the picture is filmed on the actual location of the story in the Sudan and the remainder in Portuguese East Africa. An impressive portion of the picture shows the mad stampede of hundreds of hippopotami fleeing before the advancing flames Of a bush fire, ana of their final plunge to the safety of the river down its precipitous banks. A herd of baboons Is also shown m flight. Other wonderful sights shown are thousands or warriors streaming across the desert on their camels to give battle to the British forces, and later they are seen in action attacking a British square. Other featured roles in this mighty screen sensation are played by William Powell, lay Wray, Clive Brook and Noah Beery.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. t “Dressed to Kill,” now at the Artcraft Theatre, is a novel story of the modern underworld. Edmund Lowe plays the role ot “Mlle Away Barry," the master crook, debonair, patron of the opera and night clubs, In direct contrast to the accepted type who sneaks up a dark alley and belays his victim. Ben Bard is his chief assistant, and Mary Astor plays the leading feminine role, while Charles Morton plays opposite her in the romantic role. Bright Eyes,” in which Betty Balfour plays the leading role, is also being presented. The English star has never appeared to better advantage.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Marion Douglas will be remembered by most movie-goers for her appearance in "The Bushranger,” the Metro-Goldwyn-Maver picture based on early Australian history, in which this Australian girl (formerly Ena Gregory, of Manly, N.S.W.) deservedly earned a large amount of praise. She appears to even better advantage in “Sioux Blood,” the Tim McCoy outdoor romance now playing at the Regal Theatre. Karori.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come’ is the main feature on the special weekend programme at the Empire Theatre tonight. The story concerns a group of people living in the hills ot Kentucky In the Civil War days. Into this group comes a homeless waif with his dog. The adventures which befall this boy make up a fine story. The supporting, cast includes Molly O’Day, Doris Dawson, and Gardener James. The supporting feature is “The Desert Rider,” starring Tim McCoy and Raquil Torres. It. tells of a young pony express rider who is held up and robbed of a land deed which forces a girl on the mercy of a friendly mission. An excellent Hal Roach comedy, ‘bast Freight,” starring Our Gang, completes the programme.

“COSY” THEATRE, UPPER HUTT. There will be pictures at the "Cosy” Theatre, Upper Hutt every week-night until Thursday, January 2, when “The Rising Generation," a British ‘special” will be screened. To-night's double pro.gramnie is headed by a star First National picture entitled-“ The Haunted House” in which Chester Conklin and Flora Finch (two world-famed movie favourites) should provide uproarious laughter. The second feature is “Number 17,” a thrilling and laughable mystery story of great interest. On Thursday (Boxing Night) “Resurrection," a United Artists’ special production, will be screened. Dolores del Rio and Rod la Roque play the principal parts. It is a splendid story of Russia before the Revolution.

KINEMA, JOHNSONVILLE. This afternoon at 2.30 a special matinee will be given for the children. Father Christmas will be in attendance with a huge quantity of toys. To-night an extra special holiday programme will be screened—Ramon Novarro in “Forbidden Hours’ and Rod la Rocque In “Captain Swagger.” Full supporting programme will also be screened.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. A lot has been written about the sacred shrines of the East, especially their inaccessibility to Europeans, and in Afterwards,” a fine British-made picture to be shown at the Kilbirnle Theatre to-night at 8, an absorbing prologue centring around one of these mysterious shrines ends with the death of an English girl who dared to penetrate its forbidden wails. Aferwards the fiance of the dead girl wrecks his vengeance on the girl’s companion xyitn remorseless cruelty, following him to England and his own sister’s beautiful English home, where the unusual plot takes a queer twist. The second feature, “On to Reno.” starring Marie Prevost and Harrison Ford, is a farcical story of matrimonial mix-ups. Reserve at theatre. ’Phone 14— 202.

“STREET GIRL.” A spirited and tuneful drama that clearly shows the possibilities of the new form musical film entertainment is the picture, "Street Girl,” which will be the holiday attraction nt the Grand Opera House, commencing on Thursday next. The picture is distinctive in. that the movement of the story and the musical sequences are naturally dependent. Betty Compson, who has reached new heights through the medium of the talking screen, heads a cast of stage and screen favourites. This talented star is the possessor of a rich, sweet voice, and a wealth of dramatic power, and can also play the violin with artistry and feeling. The picture introduces four new song successes In “My Dream Memory,” “Broken Up Tune,” "Lovable and Sweet,” mid “Prince of Good Fellows.” Box plans will be opened at the Bristol Piano Co., the Berkeley, and the Grand Opera House on Monday morning.